Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-03-21
DAKOTA FLOODS.
The Late Blizzard Brought Another
Snowfall, Which, as 1t Melis,
POurs Into the Streams.
People Stln Seem Standing on Hay Stacks
and In Trses- The sibiy Island
Gorge UnbrOkep.

BISMARCK, D. T March 2Q.-The pub
lished statement that the Northern Pacific
river warehouse was full of goods for up
the river is q mistake, the goods having
been removed in anticipation Of high wa
Ter. The nigh trestle of the Northern
Pacific bridge will require but three or
four days to repair. Word reached here
tonight that whole family had probably
persisted or are still beld csptiye at a
point twenty miles above. Parties a.
Painted Woods have been telephoned to
go to the rescue. 1t is getting colder.
The Missouri river Is still on the
rampage. The Buford rise reached this
point to-day and the water is flowing
over the prairie at greater depth and
more terrific speed than ever. The
stream has risen fast here to-day, which
rise is equal to rise of over twenty feet
in the upper river, as the wsttr is spread
ing out over stretch OF country six
miles wide. The fearful blizzard yester-
day abated last evening and left over six
inches of snow throughout the northwest.
This will add to the food snd as the
sun came out warm day the tributaries
of the Missouri are already growing
from the melting snow. The reScuing
parties that made the wonderful Journey
into the lowlands yesterday ana saved
the lives of six men and one woman
perched upon TIE tops of houses and in
trees are the heroes OF the day.
A telegram from Fort Lincoln yester-
day announced that people could be seen
from that point standing on nay stacks
and trees, and unless they were rescued
they would perish in the food.
1t is believed the people
rescued are the ones referred TO
in the Lincoln dispatch, although many
claim that the country directly opposite
the Fort is settled and numerous inhab1-
tants of the flooded district are still in
danger if not swept away. a report also
comes from the north to the effect that at
Painted Woods settlers have been in trees
and on haystaCks for two days, aud
relief parties have been sent. The
report that Superintendent Graham Of
the Northern Pacific Railroad has been
drowned has been denied. The gorge at
Sibly island remains firm, and all efforts
TO remove il are vain. II the present
state Of affairs should remain week the
Missouri would have permanent channel
cut across the country at least two miles
east Of its old course. The ice is flowing
freely to-day, and is being lodged il
blocks of from g rod to s quarter
of mile IN length on the
farms and meadow land of the
settlers The Northern Pacific trestIe
has not been repaired, ana il is impOsSI-
BILE for the company to work upon the
structure on account Of the flowing ice.
So rapidly did the flood rise at Painted
Woods that two families, Including five
children, started to pack their household
goods preparatory TO moving
back from the stream yesterday
morning. Their houses were located on
the lOWlaHd, and before they got ready TO
start the water was within six feet Of
their houses. They then started, but
were compelled to 90 through the low
lands a quarter Of a mile before they
could reach buttes, their houses being on
the highest spot in the locality. No
sooner did the water reach that heig t |
than it swept down into the IOwIsnd, and
for over quarter of a mile the horror |
stricken people were pursued by the
rushing waters. Before they reached the |
highland they were OVertaken and !
for the last four rods they were com
PEELED to wade through three feet of
water, one of the children being Carried |
a long distance.
Another trainl5ad of passengers ar
rived from the east to-day and will be |
to remain here until it is pos
sible to cross the Missouri. As the ice
is flowing freely it is believed the river
will be free of ice tomorrow snd the
Northern Pacific will establish transfer
line Of boats.
Jay Gould, Russell Sage and Cyrus w.